Summary
- Incidents of lithium-ion batteries overheating on planes are increasing.
- The incidents have risen by 28% over the past five years, although still relatively low compared to total flights.
- Education, crew training, and partnerships are recommended to address safety concerns related to lithium-ion batteries on airplanes.
With laptops, mobile phones, and several kinds of wearable electronic devices becoming increasingly common on airplanes, the incidents of lithium-ion batteries inside them heating up are also on the rise. And a new research report highlights the impact of such batteries on aviation safety.
Key findings
A report by the nonprofit UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE) has revealed that incidents of lithium-ion batteries heating up in airplanes and posing a safety issue are increasing. These batteries are found in rechargeable devices such as laptops, tablets, and mobile phones and can go…


